UFC Vegas 69 was thrown for a loop when Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen was shifted to the San Antonio card next month. With the loss of that killer bantamweight match-up, Taila Santos vs. Erin Blanchfield was bumped up to the top of the marquee, and extended to five rounds.
The MMA Gods had other plans. Santos was forced out of the bout, and former women’s straweight champ Jessica Andrade stepped into the flyweight affair on just a week’s notice.
Could Andrade turn a short-notice flyweight fight into a strawweight title shot against Weili Zhang, as she clearly desired? Or would Blanchfield, a rising star among the UFC’s 125lb ranks, claim her biggest victory yet — with the possibility of a showdown with Valentina Shevchenko a distinct possibility?
As it turned out, Saturday was a star turn from Erin Blanchfield. She held her own on the feet against the powerful Andrade. Even getting one up on the ex-champ at times. Then, then the inevitable takedown finally came in the second, Blanchfield wasted no time. When Andrade gave up her back, Blanchfield locked up the rear-naked choke, forcing the tap.
The UFC Vegas 69 main event was a massive performance from Erin Blanchfield, who called for the winner of next month’s Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso flyweight title fight after the dust had settled.
The Pro Take
Here’s how some of Blanchfield’s peers saw the fight, with former champ Miesha Tate, Invicta FC champ Jillian DeCoursey, and former UFC title challenger Megan Anderson among those weighing in.
This could be a wild upset, Erin Blanchfield is the future of MMA but it’s not to discredit Jessica Andrade because that woman is as bad as they come! The question is will it be too soon for Erin? Excited for this fight! #Ufcfightnight @ufc
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) February 19, 2023
Champ some day… soon?
Ok I’ve seen enough she’ll b a champion one day
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 19, 2023
Andrade swinging power shots hoping for the best #UFCVegas69
— Johnny Muñoz (@KidKvenbo) February 19, 2023
Don’t brawl. Keep with the good technique #UFCVegas69
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) February 19, 2023
Blanchfield landing that right hand all day #UFCVegas69
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) February 19, 2023
There ya go Erin. She’s not respecting your power. That 2 is there #UFCVegas69
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) February 19, 2023
Kudos
Great performance @ufc
— Tracy Cortez Year (@TracyCortezmma) February 19, 2023
Probably not the only one who slept on Blanchfield
Not gonna cap, I slept on Blanchfield
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) February 19, 2023
Real Deal
ERIN BLANCHFIELD IS THE REAL DEAL!!!
If it goes to the canvas, it's her world!!!
WOWW!! Absolutely huge win for her tonight, and we have a new name in the mix at the top of the Flyweight division #UFCVegas69
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) February 19, 2023
What did I tell yall 🙌🏿 #UnprofessionalBreakdown
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) February 19, 2023
Wow! Congrats Erin. Amazing performance on a former champ #UFCVegas69
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) February 19, 2023
I told you!!!!! I Told You!!!! Erin F*cking Blanchfield #UFCVegas69
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) February 19, 2023
